cuckoo

[koo-koo, kook-oo]

noun

plural

cuckoos 

1. a common European bird, Cuculus canorus, of the family Cuculidae, noted for its characteristic call and its brood parasitism.

2. any of several other birds of the family Cuculidae.

3. the call of the cuckoo, or an imitation of it.

4. Slang.,  a crazy, silly, or foolish person; simpleton.

verb (used without object)

cuckooed, cuckooing 

1. to utter the call of the cuckoo or an imitation of it.

verb (used with object)

cuckooed, cuckooing 

1. to repeat monotonously.

adjective

1. Slang.,  crazy; silly; foolish.

2. of, relating to, or like a cuckoo.

cuckoo

/ ˈkʊkuː /

noun

1. any bird of the family Cuculidae, having pointed wings, a long tail, and zygodactyl feet: order Cuculiformes. Many species, including the European cuckoo ( Cuculus canorus ), lay their eggs in the nests of other birds and have a two-note call

2. informal,  an insane or foolish person

adjective

1. informal,  insane or foolish

interjection

1. an imitation or representation of the call of a cuckoo

verb

1. (tr) to repeat over and over

2. (intr) to make the sound imitated by the word cuckoo

Word History and Origins

Origin of cuckoo¹

1200–50; Middle English cuc ( c ) u, cuccuk ( e ) (imitative); compare Latin cucūlus, French coucou, German Kuckuk, Dutch koekoek, Modern Greek koûko

Word History and Origins

Origin of cuckoo¹

C13: from Old French cucu, of imitative origin; related to German kuckuck, Latin cucūlus, Greek kokkux

Idioms and Phrases

see cloud-cuckoo land.

Example Sentences

“The cuckoo clock, the Dutch door, the daylight basement — humble horsemen of the domestic Apocalypse. The VWs, parked in the driveway.”

From Los Angeles Times

Nothing about “Another Simple Favor” or its equally cuckoo bananas predecessor, “A Simple Favor,” is subtle.

From Salon

Child criminal exploitation and "cuckooing" are set to become specific criminal offences as part of new legislation being introduced to Parliament next week.

From BBC

Keane also stressed that Maddison was a "talented player", but said those who thought his return would help Spurs break into the top six "were in cuckoo land".

From BBC

And yet California has massive rates of poverty, cuckoo housing costs that are forcing people to flee, and a shameful number of homeless people, many suffering from addiction, mental illness or both.

From Los Angeles Times